Ready for another exciting series
England's first international match on their two month tour of New Zealand is in the city known as "Tamaki-Makau-Rau" or the "maiden with 100 suitors".
Tamaki-Makau-Rau is the Maori name for the North Island city of where England play the first of two Twenty20 matches against New Zealand on Tuesday 5 February.
It earned its rather romantic name because it was reportedly a region coveted by many Maori tribes thanks to its temperate climate and dramatic landscape dominated by volcanoes.
The opening match is being played at what is considered by many as the country's leading sports stadium the 50,000-seat .
New Zealand secured at the ground back in 1956 against the West Indies but it has mixed memories for England supporters.
In 1955 – which remains the lowest total ever in a Test - but it has not been such a happy hunting ground more recently.
The 1997 Test at Eden Park is best remembered for Nathan Astle and Danny Morrison holding up England's bowlers for nearly three hours with a record-breaking last wicket partnership of 106.
And on England's last visit here, in 2002, they lost a low-scoring Test by 78 runs as New Zealand squared the series, although England did win thanks to four wickets from Andrew Flintoff.
England will of course have to do without Freddie this time around but they start the tour probably as slight favourites to win both the Tests and limited-overs matches.
New Zealand will be who had his New Zealand contract terminated this week after signing up for the rebel Indian Cricket League.
But the Black Caps still have plenty of dangerous players including the likes of captain Daniel Vettori, exciting all-rounder Jacob Oram and promising batsman Ross Taylor.
And although England's recent one-day form has been much improved with wins against India and Sri Lanka, they have lost their last two Test series, with the matches in Sri Lanka before Christmas particularly disappointing.
I am particularly looking forward to this trip as it will be my first visit to New Zealand.
I remember staying up through the night six years ago to listen to the Test Match Special commentary on that thrilling conclusion to the when Nathan Astle almost pulled off one of the greatest run chases ever, with an amazing 222.
I also recall following the amazing story on TMS of , who had to delay his wedding to make his Test debut, also in Christchurch in 1983/84.
He was drafted in when England were hit by a late injury crisis. Pigott was playing for Wellington and happened to be in the right place at the right time.
England went on to lose the match in less than 12 hours as they were bowled out for 82 and 93. Ironically the match finished so early Pigott could have made the ceremony after all!
Test matches in New Zealand can tempt you into listening to the radio longer than perhaps you should.
With games starting around 2100 GMT I remember frequently tuning in after finishing my homework and then hiding my radio under the duvet and listening quietly through the night!
After enjoying listening to TMS from New Zealand I am really excited about producing our coverage.
Correspondent Jonathan Agnew as always will be leading our team commentating on all the international matches on the tour.
Geoff Boycott will be joining us for the one-day internationals and the Test series, alongside TMS favourites Vic Marks, Angus Fraser and Mike Selvey.
Our normal New Zealand summariser Jeremy Coney is busy with his university studies in Cardiff so keep checking the blog for details of our Kiwi experts for the tour.
But favourite New Zealand commentator Bryan Waddle will be with us for the whole tour and will be joined by Arlo White for the one-dayers and Christopher Martin Jenkins for the Tests.
Also joining us for the Twenty20 internationals will be former England all-rounder and Channel Four commentator .
He has been living in New Zealand for the past couple of years, has recently been working as a TV pundit and should offer a fascinating perspective on the matches.
Known as one of the game’s great innovators it will be interesting to hear his thoughts on this form of the game.
Alison Mitchell will be reporting throughout the tour for Five Live and TMS and contributing to the TMS Blog.
All the matches will be available on 5 Live Sports Extra and online to UK listeners with Radio 4 (198LW) having commentary on all ODIs and Test matches.
And the times of most of the games are pretty good for a UK audience with the Twenty20 games running from 0600 GMT.
You'll be able to catch the climax of the ODIs when you are having your breakfast and with Test days starting at 2130 there'll be plenty to keep you entertained when you are making your cocoa.
Then as you wake up - if you missed any of the action - you will be able to download the legendary Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott TMS Podcast before checking Aggers’ TMS blog for the definitive story of the day.
It all starts on Tuesday 5 February at 0600 GMT. Don't miss it!
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NZ have little chance of beating England.
Their test line up is lacking talent in both departments.
Vettori, Oram and Fleming are their only decent test players and none are world class.
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Too true about watching the beginning of the test matches and staying up too late - I can see a few late night happening here!
I had a friend who was in NZ the last time we were over there and he loved it - good value tickets and a less formal attitude. Maybe one day I'll get the chance to go!
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i liked the article, very personal, and i can relate with much of it.
I agree England will walk the Test series, no doubt about that, but the one day series is far more balanced, remember in a shorter game overall class on paper means little but what decisions are made on the pitch are more important.
i think Taylor is a good player and Oram is a proven performer in the batting departure, whereas England's top three worry me somewhat, i am not a huge fan of phil mustard as far and will be looking for him to hopefully do great to change that, but Cook is not a good odi player and again needs to prove alot in the way of some rapid significant scores. with the added bonus of Mucullum i believe New Zealand will outgun England most days with the bat.
however, in the wake of peter moores's comments, i think England's superior bowling attack may clinch the contest if they get it right.
i am looking forward to seeeing who comes out on top, and i hope to see much better cricket than that slow stuff in sri laka, a painfully exhausting tour for all.
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I ahve been over here in Hamilton now for a year and can't wait for the odi's and the 1st test. The value of the tickets is awesome, at under 40UKP for all 5 days of the test match in Hamilton. The weather is much better too! Kiwis not that confident though without Shane Bond their talisman
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i don't think New zealand will be able to win this tournament bcoz there key strength was shane bond and now as he is playing for indian cricket league so it will be a tough tournament for black caps
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Adam -- can you tell us whether NZ radio cricket commentary will be available over the internet, since those of us outside the UK will once again be denied the pleasures of internet TMS? (And before people swipe at me about license fees,yes, we'd be willing to pay for it!)
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The live coverage on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã page (https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/4923160.stm) lists Radio 4LW as one of the mediums broadcasting the TwentyTwenty matches. Is this the case because you seem to suggest that Radio 4LW isn't broadcasting them. I hope it is as I find it much easier to tune into LW than access the Internet, especially at 6am in the morning when still in bed. Not everywhere in the UK can pick up DAB yet. More areas can pick up Radio 4FM so that could become the sole broadcast as it does during tests and one-day internations, LW only programs excluded.
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So...
"All the matches will be available online to UK listeners"
Once again we expats will be unable to listen online. Why?
Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed about this during the Sri Lanka tour and your excuse then was that "the Sri Lankan board denied the Ö÷²¥´óÐã internet rights." One or two contributors accused you of being economical with the truth, whereas I reserved judgement....clearly I was wrong! So what is the excuse this time Adam???
Please do not do us the discourtesy of fobbing us off with half truths or down right deceit. Why, once again will TMS not be available online outside the UK?
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I'm in the Central Time Zone in the USA. If my calculations are correct, the tests will start at 4:30 p.m. local time, which is quite convenient.
I doubt I'll be able to hear TMS, but I'll be enjoying the blogs and the live text and updates.
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I was wrong (or cricinfo changed its info). The tests will apparently start at about 3:30 p.m. for me. Oh well, that means that I'll start slacking off at work even earlier.
I doubt that I will be staying up for the D/N ODIs as they will finish a bit late for me. Same for the T20Is.
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I'm not English but a big fan of TMS commentary. Sadly, the audio stream of the commentary won't be available to those of us outside the UK. Quite frankly, I do not understand why such a restriction should be placed on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã (especially where it concerns *audio* commentary). I think the ICC is run by utter incompetents who don't understand any other language than money.
I'm actually an Indian living in the United States but I'm much more interested in the TMS coverage of the England - New Zealand matches than the tri-series featuring India, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
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I'm not English but a big fan of TMS commentary. Sadly, the audio stream of the commentary won't be available to those of us outside the UK. Quite frankly, I do not understand why such a restriction should be placed on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã (especially where it concerns *audio* commentary). I think the ICC is run by utter incompetents who don't understand any other language than money.
I'm actually an Indian living in the United States but I'm much more interested in the TMS coverage of the England - New Zealand matches than the tri-series featuring India, Australia, and Sri Lanka.
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For those of you looking for live radio commentary, you could try "Radiosport" nz. Its nz commentary, but they normally are reasonably unbiased compared to the television commentators. Im a kiwi living in South Korea and I can listen to it with no problems. On their webpage, they have a little picture of a microphone near the top. Just click on that and it should start.
As for the cricket, it seems like the nz selectors have realised that the group that went to South Africa and Australia were honest toilers but are never really going to improve nz's standing in world cricket. So, have taken a punt on a couple of young players, Jesse Ryder and Tim Southee. Ryder is very talented but isnt having a good season domestically, and Southee is only 19.
I think Ryder could make a big difference in terms of genuine talent, (which nz is sadly lacking in) . Ryder, McCullum and Taylor as a top three is probably more talented than nz has ever had there, yet performance is another thing entirely....
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I also am an expat living in America, but am in the Eastern Standard Time zone,so if I was able to listen to TMS over the internet it would be at an extremely good time for me.Please see what you can do Adam!
Incidently are you any relation to John Mountford who used to be anchorman at Ö÷²¥´óÐã East in Norwich?
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Really looking forward to this series!
Mostly because I have recently just moved to NZ, got my tickets for the first ODI in Wellington yesterday. Hope DVs ankle holds up as I have been looking forward to see him bowl.
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@Matthewfrom NZ.
any gud fast bowler coming!cos Bond the great is joining ICL.Such a shame!
ICC n NZ lost a genuine match winner n a hostile fast bowler
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I'm an Englishman living in Wellington too. Just bought my tickets for the ODI - can't wait!
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There appears to be a common theme here; us expats feeling hard done by not being able to listen to TMS.
I am in New Zealand and will listen to commentary on NZ radio, but would much rather be listening to the commentary on TMS.
For many years I listened to TMS in the UK and recall hearing lots of messages being read out from England supporters listening in from all corners of the globe. Now that I have moved overseas, I do feel a bit cheated !
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Agreed England should win both the Test and One Day series on paper (hard to write as a kiwi), but as we all know with England sport what they should do and what they actually do are two different things. Should be a cracker though!
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Should be a good series. NZ tend to play above themselves and given we're no better than inconsitent at ODIs, I expect they'll win that series easily.
On tests, there seems to be a lot of Kiwi pessimism on here but in truth England have gone backwards fast in the last 12 months. Mostly injury it's true but the destabilising effect of making Flintoff captain mucked things up and only recently has it got back to "normal". Throw in the loss of half the Ashes team thanks to injury/ ill health and we're a shadow of that side.
Even worse, nobody seems to realise just how rubbish Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood are in test matches! They seem totally bomb proof and it's KP that's the media target when he is, truth be told, our best batsman since Gower! Then there was the experiment of Matt "can't catch the ball but it's ok because I'm a wicket keeper" Prior - thankfully now ended.
If we ever pick the right side (Cook, Vaughan, Strauss, KP, Bopara, Shah, Ambrose, Sidebottom, Hoggy, Harmy, Panesar) we might do ok but while the focus is always on "when will Flintoff be fit - let's put in a stopgap", we're just as likely to fall in a heap as the Kiwis!!!
Could be a good series - let's hope for good weather and good umpiring.
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Very much looking forward to this tour Adam.
Nice to have Aggers and Boycs for the one-dayers as well as the tests for this tour although massive shame that Jermey Coney will not be part of the team this time.
And looking foward to hearing Bryan Waddle again.
Any chance Bill Frindall will be part of the team for the tests? I hope so from reading his book I can tell how much he loves the country.
Looking forward to tomorrow morning.
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Matthew - thanks very much for the Radio Sport New Zealand link. Looking forward to listening here in the US.
Like others, I'm confused as to why the ICC allow international audio rights to become so convoluted. It's seems odd for a sport that is interested in expanding its popularity in large markets such as China and the US. Why would they not help potential and existing fans see or hear matches?
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Well I'm now listening to radiosport nz (with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's cricket correspondent) online. How crazy is that??
So does the NZ station have the precious internet rights that the Ö÷²¥´óÐã was too tight or shotsighted to apply for?? or do they just not care and are going to broadcast it anyway??
I notice there has been no response from Mr Mountford!!
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I am very much looking forward to the cricket series. However, I'd like to echo the comments of Tim (no. 7 above) in relation to Radio 4 LW. I understand that the 20:20s are not being carried on that station - which only relised when I tried to tune in for my drive to work. As Tim says, not everywhere in the UK has access to DAB signal, and very few cars have DAB radio recption anyway. As these matches are going out across the UK rush hour, it is very frustrating to have to wait for periodic updates on Radio 5, rather than being able to listen to TMS commentary. For those who want the ordinary Radio 4 programmes, it is much easier to switch to FM than for the rest of us to try to get a DAB signal! Please could the Ö÷²¥´óÐã rethink their constant reliance on DAB and the internet as these are not always convenient! If it was a soccer international it would be on Radio 5 Live on the medium wave!
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In answer to David Shield's question (21) Bill Frindall will be joining us for the rest of the New Zealand series starting with saturday's first test match. So you'll be hearing lots from the "Bearded wonder". In answer to point 23 from Steve .. apologies for not getting back to you sooner but we were delayed travelling from Christchurch to Wellington so I have only just seen your query.
I do not have the information at hand about the deal Radio Sport (the NZ station you refer to) have done with New Zealand cricket. But its probably a bit like the deal the Ö÷²¥´óÐã has with our own cricket board ,the ECB, where we are allowed to stream home international matches on-line around the world.
As for this series I can only apologise that we are restricted again to UK internet listeners. Whenever the Ö÷²¥´óÐã does a deal for commentary we try to secure worldwide internet rights but unfortunately this was not possible on this occasion.
In answer to point 24 from Andy - I apologise for the inconvenience caused by Radio Four's decision not to broadcast the Twenty20 matches. One of the problems I understand was that the climax of the matches co-incided with the broadcast of Yesterday in Parliament. The good news is that the rest of the ODI and Tests in NZ will be broadcast on both Five Live Sports Extra and Radio Four Longwave.
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